The Doris Day Show

The Doris Day Show centers on Doris Day as Doris Martin, a sunny, capable woman whose everyday situations provide the backbone for a sitcom built around her screen persona. The series launched on CBS in September 1968 and ran for five seasons and 128 episodes, but it rarely stayed in one place creatively. Writers reworked the premise and supporting cast several times, so episodes from different seasons can feel like they belong to different kinds of shows. The program showcased Day more than serialized plots, and it carried an offscreen controversy: Day later wrote that her husband had signed her to the series without her knowledge before he died in April 1968, a revelation that followed the show from its earliest days.

Created by James Fritzell, the show premiered on September 24, 1968 and aired on CBS through March 1973. Doris Day led the cast as Doris Martin, with John Dehner and Jackie Joseph among the regular supporting players, and the series produced 128 episodes over five seasons.

The series did not become a major awards contender. It received limited industry recognition and no prominent Emmy or Golden Globe wins, leaving most formal honors to other contemporary television entries while the show remained better known for its star and its shifting formats.

Culturally the most lasting notes are the abrupt format changes and the personal story behind Day's involvement, which drew attention to the series apart from its content. For many viewers the show represents a transitional moment in Day's career, moving her familiar film image into weekly television and sparking conversations about celebrity, control, and television programming choices during that era.

Critical and audience response was mixed, reflected by a modest vote average of 5.8/10 from viewers. Audiences often praised Day's warmth and comic timing, while criticism focused on uneven writing and the frequent changes in premise. The show ranged in focus from home-centered plots to workplace scenarios depending on the season, which kept its tone and appeal variable.